Automatic bundle strapping machine

ABSTRACT

An integrated cutting and clamping tool or assembly and an automatic bundle strapping machine for concerted cutting and clamping of a tying element, such as a metal strap. In an automatic bundle strapping machine, a cutting and clamping tool or assembly including jaws arranged to produce concerted cutting and clamping, actuated by a hydraulic cylinder and mounted onto a slidable carriage for slidable displacement transversely of the strap from a position holding the initial end of the strap and a position for concerted cutting and clamping of the following end of the strap after the bundle has been tied such as by crimping overlapping portions defined by looping one turn of the strap around the bundle.

1111a ties aii 1 1 11 Gagnon et a1. 1 Feb. 111, 1975 AUTOMATllC BUNDLE STRAPPING MACHINE Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite [76] Inventors: Pierre Gagnon, 5637 Wilderton St.; v

Pierre Lai'orest, 1943 Bruxelles t. [57] ABSTRACT both, menu-ear Guebec' Canada An integrated cutting and clamping tool or assembly [22] Filed: June 6, 11973 and an automatic bundle strapping machine for concerted cutting and clamping of a tying element, such [2]] Appl' 367590 as a metal strap. in an automatic bundle strapping machine, a cutting and clamping tool or assembly includ- [52] 10.8. C1 100/26, 100/30, 140/93.2 ing jaws arranged to produce concerted cutting and [51] int. Cl 1365b 13/34 clamping, actuated by a hydraulic cylinder and [58] Field of Search 140/932; 100/26, 27, 30, mounted onto a slidable carriage lfor slidable displace- 100/29 ment transversely of the strap from a position holding the initial end of the strap and a position for concerted [56] References Cited cutting and clamping of the following end of the strap UNITED STATES PATENTS after the bundle has been tied such as by crimping 3 232 217 2/1966 Harmon et a 00/30 overlapping portions defined by looping one turn of $587 448 6/1971 Hemphill .IIIIII I the strap amund the bundle' 3,701,314 10/1972 Tull 100/30 X 3,771,435 11/1973 Vascotto et a1 100/27 3 23 F'gures PATENTEU B 3 5 SHEET 1 [1F 4 PATEMTED FEB] 1 I975 SHEET 2 OF 4 SHEET 3 [IF 4 PATENTEB FEM 1 I975 PATENIED 1 I975 3. 865.025

SHEET u. 0F 4 This invention relates to a cutting and clamping tool or assembly more particularly adapted for use in combination into a bundle strapping machine.

In the strapping machine of the prior art, the holding or clamping of the metal strap is made by one assembly while the cutting of the strap is made by another assembly.

The Applicant has found that the clamping and cutting operations may be integrated into a single and simple assembly which holds the initial end of the metal strap during looping of the latter around the bundle and which, upon securement of the strap, moves to a cutting position to concertedly cut the strap and hold the newly formed free end thereof.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an integrated cutting and clamping tool or assembly more particularly adapted for an automatic bundle strapping machine.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an integrated cutting and clamping tool wherein the cutting edge and clamping element are arranged side by side for concerted cutting and clamping of a tying element and in particular a metal strap on an automatic bundle strapping machine.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an automatic bundle strapping machine including an integrated cutting and clamping tool or assembly which is arranged for holding the initial end of the metal strap during coiling a turn around a bundle and to effect concerted cutting and clamping of the following portion of the strap after tying the turn around the bundle.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention should be better understood in the light of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevation view of a bundle strapping machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the machine of FIG. I as seen along line 2-2 in the latter;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of a looping assembly forming part of the machine of FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e are partial views of FIG. 3 sequentially illustrating the looping of a turn around a bundle;

FIGS. 5 and 5a are enlarged partial views of FIG. 3 sequentially illustrating the action of a crimping or attaching assembly;

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are further enlarged partial views of FIG. 3 sequentially illustrating, the clamping and concerted clamping and cutting actions of an integrated cutting and clamping assembly according to the invention and forming part of the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8a is a front end view of the cutting and clamping assembly in closed attitude;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the cutting and clamping assembly as seen along line 10-10 in FIG. 8a and in open and closed attitudes respectively;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view as seen along line lllll1 in FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are side and top views respectively of the clamped and punched end of a metal strap after 2 operative engagement by the cutting and clamping assembly;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view through the punched portion of the metal strap as seen along line 14-44 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view as seen along line 1515 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is a partial side elevation view of the automatic strapping machine as seen from the far side in FIG. I

The illustrated automatic bundle strapping machine, as best shown in FIGS. ll, 2, and 16, includes a frame it formed of sheet metal or plates, although it may be formed in any other suitable manner. Transversely aligned apertures 2 are formed into the opposite sides of the frame 1 and arranged to transversely convey bundles 3 in and out of a strapping station within the frame 1. Abutment flaps or plates 4 are integrally formed with the frame or otherwise secured to the latter to form a forward abutment for the bundle 3 at the strapping station. A slot 5, of appropriate width, is left between abutment plates 4 to allow unhindered passage of the strap 6 therein upon looping and tying the latter.

An assembly, of generally known construction, hereinafter called a looping assembly, is mounted onto the frame for forming a turn or loop of the strap 6 around the bundle 3. The looping assembly includes a shaft 7 extending transversely through the frame 1 and rotatably carried by the latter. A motor 8, of any appropriate type, is secured against the front end of the frame and is drivingly connected to the shaft 7 through a sprocket chain 9, in any suitable manner. Radially restrained shafts 10 extend through each side of the frame 1 and each carries an inner sprocket. The upper shafts 10 also carry each an outer sprocket connected by a chain 111 to the transverse shaft 7 to be driven through the latter by the motor 8. An arcuate guide 12 is slidably mounted by pins 13 on the inside of each side of the frame 1. A chain 14 is operatively mounted along each side-of the frame 1 into engagement around the corresponding inner sprockets and arcuate guide 12. The chains 14 and the afore-mentioned driving elements thereof form a conveyor for a carriage to convey the latter peripherally around the bundle 3 in position to be attached. This carriage may be of any suitable detailed construction and is herein schematically illustrated as including a base 15 onto which is mounted a frame 16.

A spool 17, of metal strap 6, is rotatably mounted onto the frame 16 to dispense the required strap for attaching the bundle. A rigid arm I8 is secured to the frame 16 and rotatably carries a pulley 19 to guide the dispensed strap 6 from the spool 17 towards an integrated cutting and clamping tool or assembly 20 which is hereinafter described with particular reference to FIGS. 2, 8a, 9, I0, ll, 15, and 16. The integrated cutting and clamping assembly includes an upwardly extending and inclined guide track 21 into which is slidably mounted a carriage 22, of any suitable construction. A hydraulic cylinder 23 is anchored at one end to a bracket 24 fixed to the frame I and is connected at the other end to the carriage 22 for reciprocating displacement of the latter along the guide track 21.

An elongated casing 25, of rectangular cross-section, is secured to the carriage 22 and extends transversely of the frame 1. A pivot 26 is secured transversely into the casing 25 and, therefore, extends longitudinally of the frame 1. A pair of cutting and clamping jaws 27 and 28 are pivotally mounted onto the pivot 26 and are each formed of laterally juxtaposed plates. The upper jaw 27 includes clamping plates 29 and 30 alternating with a pair of spacer plates 31 and 32. Similarly, the lower jaw 28 includes a cutting plate 33 and a punch plate 34 alternating with a pair of spacer plates 35 and 36. Each of the clamping plate 30 and the cutting plate 33 is formed with a catch or finger 37 arranged to catch the metal strap 6, and upon closing of the jaws to laterally position the latter with the assistance of the ramp 38 for lateral registery with a punch 39 formed onto the punch plate 34. A corresponding cavity is formed into the spacer plate 32 to allow the punch 39 to lodge therein upon closing of the jaws.

A hydraulic cylinder 40 is secured at one end onto the carriage 22 and includes a piston or plunger 41 extending into the casing 25 for to and fro displacement lengthwise thereof. A yoke 42 is secured by a pin 43 onto the inner end of the reciprocating member or piston 41 and extends transversely thereof. Four rigid links or levers 44 are pivotally connected at their opposite ends by pins 45 to the opposite sides of the yoke 42 and of the jaws 27 and 28. There results that the to and fro displacement of the piston 41 is converted into closing and opening respectively of the jaws, as may be appreciated by comparing FIGS. 9 and and the arrows therein.

The automatic bundle strapping machine according to the illustrated invention also includes a crimping assembly 46, the detailed construction of which does not form part of the present invention. The crimping assembly includes a crimping member 47, of any appropriate construction, to crimp a metal clamp 48 around overlapping portions of the strap 6. The crimping member 47 is operatively connected to a hydraulic cylinder 49 to produce reciprocation thereof.

After a bundle 3 has been placed at the strapping station in abutment against the abutment plates 4, the initial or free end of the strap 6 is held fast by the clamping and cutting assembly 20 adjacent the bundle 3. The motor 8 is then operated causing the afore-mentioned conveyor assembly, the base and the associated elements to travel around the bundle. As the spool 17 pro gresses around the bundle, the strap 6 unrolls from the spool and wraps around the bundle, as sequentially shown by FIGS. 4a to 4e inclusive.

When the strap 6 has a portion overlapping the initial or free end thereof, the turn of the strap around the bundle 3 is attached by the crimping member 47, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a. This is done by pushing the overlapping portion against the turn around the bundle, crimping a metal clamp around the contacting strap portions and thereafter withdrawing the crimping member 47. Thereafter, the jaws 27 and 28 which had been holding fast the free end of the strap are opened fully, as shown in FIG. 9, such that they retract substantially fully to the inner side of the pivot 26. The jaws are then free to move transversely of the strap and close to the latter. The hydraulic cylinder 23 is then retracted, causing the carriage 22 and the cutting and clamping tool to move upwardly and forwardly transversely of the initial end of the strap, as shown in FIG. 7, until it aligns with strap outwardly of the metal clamp 48. The closing of the jaws at that point first causes the fingers 37 to pinchthe strap 6 and locate the latter in registry with the punch 39. Further closing of the jaws causes concerted cutting of the strap by the cutting edge of the plate 33 and clamping of the strap by the plates 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36 and, in particular, by engagement of the punch 39 through the strap in an aperture 50 which is punched therethrough. The hydraulic cylinder 23 is thereafter expanded to rearwardly lower the cutting and clamping tool, as shown in FIG. 8, and thereby pull the initial or free end of the strap to the starting position to attach another bundle.

As is well known in the related art, the unrolling or dispensing of the strap from the spool 17 must preferably be regulated or made under tension to form a taut turn around the bundle.

It should be easily understood that the integrated cutting and clamping tool according to the principle of the present invention may be used per se or in combination in another machine using a strip or line and particularly a metal strap whereby concerted side-by-side cutting and clamping of the tying element, strip or line may be produced.

It should also be noted that the jaws need not necessarily be made of juxtaposed plates as aforedescribed as long as they include the cutting edge and the punch arranged side by side.

We claim:

1. A bundle tying machine comprising a looping assembly constructed and arranged to form a loop of tying element around a bundle and to form a portion of tying element overlapping the initial end of the latter, an attaching assembly arranged to attach said initial end to said overlapping portion of said tying element, an integrated cutting and clamping assembly consisting of a first and a second jaw pivotally connected one to the other, a cutting edge and a clamping membermounted onto one of said jaws and located side by side transversely of the latter and arranged to perform concerted clamping and cutting of the same tying element, said cutting and clamping assembly displaceably mounted for to and fro movement adjacent of and transversely of said initialed and overlapped portion of said tying element, a carriage on which said assembly is mounted for bodily movement therewith, an actuator connected to said carriage and arranged to produce said to and fro movement of said assembly, guide track means engaging said carriage and guiding the latter in said to and fro movement, said assembly movable from a clamping position holding fast said initial end to a cutting position for cutting said overlapping portion and holding the following end of the tying element.

2. A bundle tying machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said tying elementv constitutes a metal strap, each of said jaws is formed of juxtaposed plates, one plate of said one jaw forms said cutting edge, another plate of said one jaw forms a projection defining a punch cooperatively aligned with a corresponding cavity formed into the other jaw and arranged to holdingly punch through said metal strap, a pivot extends transversely through said jaws and pivotally carries the latter and said jaws are arranged relative to said pivot to retract substantially to one side of the latter to allow clearance of said metal strap by said jaws during said to and fro movement of said assembly, a reciprocating member is mounted on said carriage and connected to said jaws for pivotal movement of the latter about said pivot.

3. A bundle tying machine as defined in claim 2, further including catching fingers carried by said jaws and arranged to transversely guide said metal strap into transverse register with said punch. 

1. A bundle tying machine comprising a looping assembly constructed and arranged to form a loop of tying element around a bundle and to form a portion of tying element overlapping the initial end of the latter, an attaching assembly arranged to attach said initial end to said overlapping portion of said tying element, an integrated cutting and clamping assembly consisting of a first and a second jaw pivotally connected one to the other, a cutting edge and a clamping member mounted onto one of said jaws and located side by side transversely of the latter and arranged to perform concerted clamping and cutting of the same tying element, said cutting and clamping assembly displaceably mounted for to and fro movement adjacent of and transversely of said initialed and overlapped portion of said tying element, a carriage on which said assembly is mounted for bodily movement therewith, an actuator connected to said carriage and arranged to produce said to and fro movement of said assembly, guide track means engaging said carriage and guiding the latter in said to and fro movement, said assembly movable from a clamping position holding fast said initial end to a cutting position for cutting said overlapping portion and holding the following end of the tying element.
 2. A bundle tying machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said tying element constitutes a metal strap, each of said jaws is formed of juxtaposed plates, one plate of said one jaw forms said cutting edge, another plate of said one jaw forms a projection defining a punch cooperatively aligned with a corresponding cavity formed into the other jaw and arranged to holdingly punch through said metal strap, a pivot extends transversely through said jaws and pivotally carries the latter and said jaws are arranged relative to said pivot to retract substantially to one side of the latter to allow clearance of said metal strap by said jaws during said to and fro movement of said assembly, a reciprocating member is mounted on said carriage and connected to said jaws for pivotal movement of the latter about said pivot.
 3. A bundle tying machine as defined in claim 2, further including catching fingers carried by said jaws and arranged to transversely guide said metal strap into transverse register with said punch. 